Not all back pain is the same. Some aches come from tight muscles, while others signal nerve irritation that can radiate down the leg. One of the most common questions patients ask at Re-LAX Chiropractic + Wellness is: “Do I just have back pain, or is this sciatica?”
Understanding the difference can help you know when to seek care and what treatments may work best.
What Is Regular Back Pain?
“Back pain” is a general term that can describe many different issues. It may come from:
Muscle strain after heavy lifting or poor posture
Joint irritation in the spine
Poor ergonomics from sitting too long
Stress and tension causing muscle tightness
Symptoms of general back pain include:
Aching or stiffness localized in the back
Soreness after physical activity
Pain that improves with rest or gentle stretching
Pain that doesn’t usually radiate down into the leg
Back pain can be mild or severe, but it typically stays in the low back, mid-back, or upper back without spreading much further.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is different, it’s not just back pain, it’s nerve pain. It happens when the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body, becomes irritated or compressed (often by a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or muscle tightness).
Symptoms of sciatica include:
Sharp, shooting pain that starts in the lower back or buttock and travels down one leg
Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot
Muscle weakness in the affected leg
Pain that gets worse with sitting, coughing, or sneezing
Typically affects one side of the body
Unlike general back pain, sciatica usually follows the path of the nerve and can reach all the way to the calf or foot.
Key Differences Between Back Pain and Sciatica
| Back Pain | Sciatica |
|---|---|
| Usually localized to the spine or muscles | Radiates down the leg, sometimes to the foot |
| Aching, dull, or stiff sensation | Sharp, burning, or electric-like pain |
| Triggered by muscle strain, poor posture, stress | Triggered by nerve compression (disc herniation, stenosis, etc.) |
| May improve quickly with rest or stretching | Often persists until nerve pressure is reduced |
How Chiropractic Care Helps Both
Whether you’re dealing with back pain or sciatica, chiropractors focus on finding the root cause instead of masking symptoms.
For Back Pain:
Gentle spinal adjustments, posture correction, and soft tissue therapy can relieve tension, restore movement, and prevent recurring flare-ups.For Sciatica:
Adjustments and decompression therapy can reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve, while techniques like Active Release Technique (ART) help release tight muscles. Chiropractors may also give personalized stretches and ergonomic tips to prevent future irritation.
When to Seek Immediate Help
While most back pain and sciatica improve with conservative care, you should seek medical attention right away if you experience:
Sudden, severe leg weakness
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Numbness in the groin or saddle area
These may indicate a serious condition and need urgent care.
The Bottom Line
Back pain and sciatica share some overlap, but they are not the same condition. Back pain often stays local, while sciatica radiates along the nerve pathway into the leg.
At Re-LAX Chiropractic + Wellness, we help patients every day who struggle with both. With personalized chiropractic care, including adjustments, decompression, soft tissue therapy, and posture coaching, we aim to relieve pain, restore mobility, and help you get back to living comfortably.
📍 Visit Us:
Re-LAX Chiropractic + Wellness
8929 South Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Don’t wait for back pain or sciatica to get worse. Schedule your consultation today and find out what’s really causing your pain.